Book Review: Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S NEST

It was with a sense of melancholy that I closed the cover on Stieg Larsson’s The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Knopf, May 25, U.S. release) after finishing the last page. For it is the last page; there will be no more Lisbeth Salander, a character I’ve been rooting for from the moment I met her in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, someone I’ve enjoyed spending time with, as antisocial as she is. I tried to prolong the experience, reading slowly and in small spurts, but failed miserably.

The events of the previous books in the Millenium trilogy have led to this (spoilers for those who haven’t read the other two books): Lisbeth being captured and put on trial for attempted murder, aggravated assault and other trumped up charges. She has to face Dr. Peter Teleborian, the nefarious psychiatrist who conspired with a maverick faction within the Secret Police to have Lisbeth sent away to an asylum when she was 12. Teleborian and his colleagues once again attempt to have her committed, neutralizing all claims of how they’ve abused her civil rights, but this time Lisbeth fights back with the help of her journalist friend, Mikael Blomkvist, and his lawyer sister, Annika Giannini, who decides to rep Lisbeth.

Meanwhile, the police are searching for her murderous half-brother Ronald Niedermann, who has unfinished business with Lisbeth. The two share the blood of their father, a depraved Russian spy defector, and in the end, Lisbeth must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to stop the evil from spreading. (End spoilers.)

While misogyny has been a running theme in these books, the other two also had strong mysteries built in. There are mystery elements here (who’s sending hate mail and stalking Erika Berger, former editor of Millenium magazine?) but I felt Larsson finally going all out with his condemnation of how some men still treat women, of how absolute power corrupts when there’s no one to watch the watchers (it’s convenient that one of the heroes is a journalist, as Larsson was). A dirty police inspector thinks the following while looking at Lisbeth:

She’s fucking retarded, [he] thought…He reminded himself that she was a lesbian and consequently not a real woman.

The fight Lisbeth now has on her hands is less a physical one than an intellectual one, for she must prove she’s not only mentally competent now but always has been. She must convince the judge that she and her rights have been repeatedly violated by men in power, not just because she’s a woman but a smart and resourceful one, a threat to those with malicious intent. These are big claims from a petite girl and I’ll just say her day in court is immensely satisfying.

Before she can get there, Lisbeth spends much of the book in seclusion (though she’s hardly idle), first in a hospital with a police guard then in jail awaiting trial. Because she’s such a badass, I wanted her out putting the hurt on those who deserve it. But she does have a final confrontation in which she makes a surprising decision, one which shows how her travails have changed her. And while I was sad to say goodbye, it’s good to leave her in a hopeful place, one in which she may no longer need to play with fire or kick hornets’ nests.

24 Comments »

I felt exactly the same way. I so didn’t want it to end, but was very satisfied, and felt great for Lisbeth when I closed the book. In fact, I think that’s how I would describe Hornet’s Nest…Immensely satisfying.

I wish we were anticipating more novels in the series, but if this had to be the end, I can’t think of a better way to go out.

I was on pins & needles while reading, thinking, I will NOT be able to stand it if this doesn’t end satisfactorily. Luckily, it did but I’m still sad. Guess we still have the movies to look forward to, though not necessarily the American (Canadian?) version.

I still remember my feelings of elation upon finding Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (which seems oh so long ago now) soon to be followed by immense sadness upon trying to find out more about this wonderful author. Such a sad story, both the too-soon passing of a great artist and the horrible way his partner has been impacted.

Not sure when I’m going to be able to bring myself to read Hornet’s Nest, knowing there will be no more. Like you, E, I try to savor every word as I go. It’s a horrible/wonderful push/pull between the desire to savor and the way his words simply won’t allow it.

I have this preordered!!!!!! My trepidation over disappointment in this last installment has waned since you promise a strong finish (and Brett, above, agrees). I must admit though I prefer the action than all the financial dealings (I love Lisbeth kicking ass). Is there any romance between she and Blomkvist?

I’m right there with you, R#9! If I’ve stuck with a series, it’s primarily because of the characters. So saying good-bye to any new stories about these characters I’ve come to know and care about, it’s a sad thing.

I’ve been looking forward to Hornet’s Nest. Can’t tell you how relieved I am to read yours and Brett’s reviews! It’s bad enough knowing that there won’t be another novel from Larsson, but it would have been worse if there hadn’t seemed to be any resolution. Can you imagine if we were left with an ending like that in Played with Fire? I don’t doubt that I’ll be as unsuccessful at prolonging the reading experience as you were, Elyse.

Btw, Brian and I are finally going to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo tonight! YAY!!!

What did I think about the movie? O…M…G! OUT-BLOODY-STANDING!!!!!!! I can’t remember the last time both Brian and I walked out of a theater and thought “Wow! THAT was a great film.” [It should be noted that Brian was skeptical going in because 1) how could they do justice to the book and 2) it’s subtitled. I believe I won some brownie points for taking him with me. ;-)] It’s been a while since we’ve read the book, but neither of us thought that there was anything of consequence missing in the screenplay.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Music Box Films for bringing this fantastic movie to us! Thanks also to you and Brett for your most excellent recommendation! I can’t wait to see Nyqvist and Rapace in The Girl Who Played with Fire!

We hardly ever go to see movies in the theater any more because we’re so frequently disappointed. How refreshing it was to walk out of the theater with both of us buzzing about the movie. Awesome is right, Brett!

Thanks, PCN! I’m in the same boat as le0pard13 ~ I have GWTDT on my bedside table, and it’s next in line. I suspect by the time I’m finished reading the trilogy, US versions of all three movies will already be on DVD!